Squash bug takeover
Do you remember last year when I told you the adorable story about how I grew perfectly gorgeous Brussels sprouts only to have them destroyed by squash bugs? And remember how I said I would try it again next year and the following year, and I was all sweet, positive, and hopeful about future outcomes?
Now I’m in a full-blown war with squash bugs in my garden. After the Brussels incident, I did what I knew to do to get rid of those garden pests. First, I pretended like it was a problem that would simply go away on its own... strangely, this did not work, and those pesky critters stuck around.
Attacking the squash bugs
Then I tried the soapy water bath for my plants, but I’m almost positive the insects laughed at me while I did this. Next, I sprinkled my garden with diatomaceous earth and firmly told the punks they were not welcome here. There may have been some talk of how I write a column for Garden Gate Magazine and how they would ruin my credibility as a decent gardener if they wouldn’t scram.
For a hot second, I thought this worked. The beginning of the growing season came and went. My plants were thriving, vegetables were growing, and I was harvesting produce like a boss lady who had taken control of the situation. But I got cocky, friends...
Signs of trouble
It was late July when I noticed the first sign of trouble. Several ashy white spots appeared on a zucchini plant. But when I pawed around in the garden, I didn’t see any squash bugs, so I tried my best to go on my merry way. That lasted about 24 hours until they were everywhere. Again, they took down my squash, zucchini, and Brussels sprouts in a matter of days.
"So now, we go to the mattresses!" (I’m not a huge fan of The Godfather, but my passion for this warrants this quote.)
Squash bugs are my garden nemesis
Next summer, I plan to locate and squish every squash bug I find with my bare hands, which grosses me out, if I’m honest. (Please don't think less of me because I am a gardener who doesn’t want to squish bugs with my fingers.) If that doesn’t work, I might just get the vacuum out because another gardener told me that worked for her...
If all else fails, I’ll have no choice but to skip a season or two of growing squash and see if that does the trick. Wish me luck!
While Jamie’s favorite movie is not "The Godfather," her favorites are "You’ve Got Mail," "Dan in Real Life," and anything starring Steve Martin.
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